Instrument and Method for Clinical Examinations and Cleaning Method Therefor

ABSTRACT

An automated clinical analyzer and method is offered which can clean the nozzles of a reaction cuvette wash unit. A first detergent is put in first reagent containers located on a first reagent turntable. A computer controller drives a first reagent pipette to aspirate the detergent from the first reagent containers and to deliver the detergent into reaction cuvettes. The controller drives a reaction turntable to bring each reaction cuvette holding the detergent therein to the reaction cuvette wash unit. The controller drives the reaction cuvette wash unit to aspirate the detergent from inside the reaction cuvettes using reaction cuvette wash nozzles to thereby clean the wash nozzles. A second detergent is then used to clean the nozzles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an automated analyzer for clinicalexaminations and, more particularly, to an automated clinical analyzerhaving a sample turntable on which sample containers are set, a reagentturntable on which reagent containers are set, a reaction turntable onwhich reaction cuvettes are set, a reagent pipette for aspirating areagent from each of the reagent containers on the reagent turntable anddelivering the reagent into the reaction cuvettes on the reactionturntable, a reaction cuvette wash unit for delivering and aspirating adetergent into and from the reaction cuvettes set on the reactionturntable via reaction cuvette wash nozzles to clean the inside of eachreaction cuvette, and control device for controlling the operation ofthe sample turntable, reagent turntable, reaction turntable, reagentpipette, and reaction cuvette wash unit.

2. Description of Related Art

In an automated clinical analyzer as shown in JP-A-8-101214 andJP-A-2009-68879 given below, a reaction cuvette wash unit is mounted toclean reaction cuvettes set on a reaction turntable.

FIG. 5 shows one example of the reaction cuvette wash unit. The shownwash unit, indicated by reference numeral 23, is installed at a givenwash position on a reaction turntable 12 on which a multiplicity ofreaction cuvettes 11 are arrayed. The reaction cuvette wash unit 23 hasa plurality of exhaust nozzles S1-S5, a plurality of injection nozzlesI1-I4, and a drying nozzle SD for drying the insides of the reactioncuvettes. Each pair or each one of the nozzles is held separately byholders H1-H6, which are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to twoof the reaction cuvettes. The holders are held integrally by a frame F.The nozzles are simultaneously inserted into the reaction cuvettes bymaking the frame F descend and are simultaneously drawn from thereaction cuvettes by making the frame F ascend after the end of a washoperation. An anti-overflow nozzle (not shown) is combined with eachinjection nozzle to prevent overflow by sucking the liquid when theliquid level reaches a given height.

The reaction turntable 12 makes an angular movement through a givenangle in the direction indicated by the arrows and stops. The turntable12 moves and stops in this way repeatedly. When some reaction cuvette Acomes to a stop in position A(1), the cuvette then comes to a stop atposition A(2) ahead of the reaction cuvette wash unit 23. Then, thecuvette stops at positions A(3), A(4), A(5), and A(6) in turn.

When the reaction cuvette A is at halt at the position A(1), the exhaustnozzle S1 held to the holder H1 aspirates reaction liquid undergone ameasurement and vents the liquid into the waste tank. The injectionnozzle I1 injects a rinse fluid or rinse water into the reaction cuvettefrom which the reaction liquid has been discharged.

At the next timing point of halt, the reaction cuvette A is halted inthe position A(2). The exhaust nozzle S2 held to the holder H2 aspiratesthe rinse fluid from this cuvette A and discharges it into the wastetank. The injection nozzle I2 injects a detergent.

At the next timing point of halt, the reaction cuvette A is halted inthe position A(3). The exhaust nozzle S3 held to the holder H3 draws inthe detergent from the cuvette A and vents it into the waste tank. Theinjection nozzle I3 injects a rinse fluid or rinse water into thereaction cuvette from which the detergent has been discharged.

At the next timing point of halt, the reaction cuvette A is halted inthe position A(4). The exhaust nozzle S4 held to the holder H4 aspiratesrinse fluid from this cuvette A and discharges the fluid into the wastetank. The injection nozzle I4 again injects a rinse fluid or rinse waterinto the reaction cuvette from which the rinse fluid has beendischarged.

At the next timing point of halt, the reaction cuvette A is halted inthe position A(5). The exhaust nozzle S5 held to the holder H5 draws inthe rinse fluid and discharges it into the waste tank.

At the next timing point of halt, the reaction cuvette A is halted inthe position A(6). The drying nozzle SD held to the holder H6 completelyaspirates the rinse fluid remaining on the bottom and inner wall of thecuvette and discharges the fluid, thus drying the cuvette.

After the reaction cuvette has been cleaned by the use of the reactioncuvette wash unit 23 as described above, the reaction cuvette is usedfor a new sample analysis.

The reaction cuvette wash unit 23 is used for analysis routine cleaningas described above during a process for analysis. In addition, the washunit 23 is also employed in a daily cleaning mode in which each reactioncuvette is cleaned once or twice per day. In this daily cleaning mode,the reaction turntable and reaction cuvette wash unit 23 are run in thesame way as in normal analysis. However, no sample is supplied into thereaction cuvettes. A detergent for daily cleaning is suppliedsuccessively into all reaction cuvettes on the reaction turntable via areagent pipette. Because of this daily cleaning using the reactioncuvette wash unit 23, residues adhering to the inner wall of eachreaction cuvette that cannot be sufficiently removed by the analysisroutine cleaning can be washed away.

It is considered that the nozzles of the reaction cuvette wash unit 23are also cleaned by suction of the detergent during the processes ofanalysis routine cleaning and daily cleaning but it has been difficultto completely prevent adhesion of residuals to all the nozzles of thereaction cuvette wash unit. Therefore, when the automated analyzer forclinical examinations is run for a long time, the phenomenon that someof the nozzles of the reaction cuvette wash unit become clogged isproduced.

Where such nozzles were clogged in the past in this way, the humanoperator removed the nozzles together with the frame F, filled cuvettes(e.g., sample tubes) adapted for the nozzle shape with a detergent,aspirated the detergent via the nozzles to thereby clean them, and thenattached the nozzles.

In JP-A-8-101214, there is no mention of wash of a reaction cuvette washunit. However, regarding wash of the nozzle of a pipette, there is theaforementioned mention of a method of wash. In JP-A-2009-68879, there isno mention of wash of a reaction cuvette wash unit in the same way asJP-A-8-101214 but a mechanism of wash the nozzle of a pipette usingsonic waves is set forth.

However, if any of the methods of wash nozzles of pipettes as set forthin JP-A-8-101214 and JP-A-2009-68879 are used for a reaction cuvettewash unit, a separate mechanism is necessary, thus presenting a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing problem, the present invention has been made.It is an object of the present invention to provide an instrument andmethod which is used for clinical examinations and which can wash thenozzles of a reaction cuvette wash unit with simple manipulations byhaving a nozzle cleaning mode although the instrument has a simplestructure. It is another object to provide a cleaning method adapted tobe implemented by this instrument.

A first embodiment of the present invention provides an automatedclinical analyzer having: a sample turntable on which sample containersare set; a reagent turntable on which reagent containers are set; areaction turntable on which reaction cuvettes are set; a sample pipettefor delivering a sample into the reaction cuvettes on the reactionturntable; a reagent pipette for aspirating a reagent from each of thereagent containers on the reagent turntable and delivering the aspiratedreagent into the reaction cuvettes on the reaction turntable; a reactioncuvette wash unit for cleaning the reaction cuvettes set on the reactionturntable, the reaction cuvette wash unit having plural wash nozzles foraspirating reaction liquids from inside the reaction cuvettes,delivering and aspirating a first detergent, and delivering andaspirating a rinse fluid; and control device for controlling theoperation of the sample turntable, reagent turntable, reactionturntable, reagent pipette, and reaction cuvette wash unit. A seconddetergent is placed in a position where the second detergent can bedrawn in by the reagent pipette. The control device drives the reagentpipette to aspirate the second detergent and to deliver it into thereaction cuvettes. The control device drives the reaction turntable tomove each of the reaction cuvettes holding the second detergent thereinto the position of a preset one of the wash nozzles of the reactioncuvette wash unit and to cause this wash nozzle to descend foraspirating the second detergent from inside the reaction cuvette.

An eighth embodiment of the invention provides a cleaning method adaptedto be implemented in an automated analyzer for clinical examinationshaving a sample turntable on which sample containers are set, a reagentturntable on which reagent containers are set, a reaction turntable onwhich reaction cuvettes are set, a reagent pipette for aspirating areagent from each of the reagent containers on the reagent turntable anddelivering the aspirated reagent into the reaction cuvettes on thereaction turntable, a reaction cuvette wash unit for cleaning thereaction cuvettes set on the reaction turntable, the reaction cuvettewash unit having plural wash nozzles for aspirating reaction liquidsfrom inside the reaction cuvettes, delivering and aspirating a firstdetergent, and delivering and aspirating a rinse fluid, and controldevice for controlling the operation of the sample turntable, reagentturntable, reaction turntable, reagent pipette, and reaction cuvettewash unit. The wash method starts with placing a second detergent in aposition where the second detergent can be aspirated by the reagentpipette. Then, the reagent pipette is driven such that the seconddetergent is aspirated and delivered into the reaction cuvette(hereinafter may be referred to as the first step). Then, the reactionturntable is driven to move the reaction cuvette holding the seconddetergent into the position of a specified one of the wash nozzles ofthe reaction cuvette wash unit (hereinafter may be referred to as thesecond step). The wash nozzle is made to descend to aspirate the seconddetergent from inside the reaction cuvette (hereinafter may be referredto as the third step).

According to the aforementioned first or eighth embodiment of theinvention, the reagent pipette is driven to aspirate the seconddetergent and to deliver it into the reaction cuvette. The reactionturntable is driven to move the reaction cuvette containing the seconddetergent into the specified cleaning nozzle of the reaction cuvettewash unit. The second detergent is aspirated from inside the reactioncuvette using this wash nozzle, thus cleaning the wash nozzle.Consequently, each wash nozzle of the reaction cuvette wash unit can becleaned with simple structure and simple manipulations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automated clinical analyzer accordingto one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the inventive electrical configuration ofthe analyzer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first wash process performed undercontrol of the control device of the analyzer shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a second wash process performed undercontrol of the control device of the analyzer shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a reaction cuvettewash unit; and

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating the manner in which a seconddetergent is injected into a reaction cuvette.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An automated clinical analyzer according to one embodiment of thepresent invention is described with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an automated clinical analyzeraccording to the invention.

The automated clinical analyzer, generally indicated by referencenumeral 1, is configured including a sample turntable 4, a dilutedsample turntable 6, a first reagent turntable 8, a second reagentturntable 10, and a reaction turntable 12.

Two rows of sample containers 2, each row consisting of a given numberof sample containers 2, are set on the sample turntable 4 near its outerperiphery. Each sample container 2 holds a sample therein. Two rows ofdiluent cuvettes 3 are set on the sample turntable 4 inside the two rowsof the sample containers 2. Each diluent cuvette 3 in one row holds acalibration sample. Each diluent cuvette 3 in the other row holds asample used for accuracy management. As the sample turntable 4 isrotated, the sample containers 2 and diluted sample containers 3 on theturntable 4 are rotated at given speeds to given positions. Specialdiluting fluids, probes, and detergents for washing the diluted samplecontainers may be set at inner positions.

Diluted sample containers 5 for holding samples, which have been drawnin from the sample containers 2 and diluted, are set on the dilutedsample turntable 6.

A given number of first reagent containers 7 holding a first reagent incold storage are set on the first reagent turntable 8.

A given number of second reagent containers 9 holding a second reagentin cold storage are set on the second reagent turntable 10.

A given number of reaction cuvettes 11 are set on the reaction turntable12. A diluted sample taken from one diluted sample container 5 on thediluted sample turntable 6, an aliquot of the first reagent taken fromone first reagent container 7 on the first reagent turntable 8, and analiquot of the second reagent taken from one second reagent container 9on the second reagent turntable 10 are put in each of the reactioncuvettes 11 such that the sample and reagents react with each other.

A sample dilution pipette 13 is disposed beside the sample turntable 4.In the automated clinical analyzer of the present embodiment, allpipettes are disposed on the side of the rotating ends of rotating arms.The sample dilution pipette 13 is driven to the left and right and upand down by a sample dilution pipette left/right and up/down movingmechanism (not shown). Thus, the pipette 13 reciprocates through a washunit (not shown) between the sample turntable 4 and the diluted sampleturntable 6 by rotating to the left and right. When the pipette 13ascends or descends and gains access to a selected one of the samplecontainers 2 in a given position of the sample turntable 4, a samplepump (not shown) is operated to aspirate a given amount of sample. Whenthe pipette has an access to a selected one of the diluted samplecontainers 5 at a given position of the diluted sample turntable 6, thepipette delivers a given amount of diluent (usually, normal salinesolution) supplied from the pipette 13 itself together with the sample.As a result, the sample is diluted by a desired factor within thediluted sample container 5. Then, the pipette 13 is cleaned by a samplediluted pipette wash unit (not shown).

Arranged around the diluted sample turntable 6 are a sampling pipette14, a sample dilution stirrer 15, and a diluted sample container washunit 16, in addition to the sample dilution pipette 13. The stirrer 15is driven up and down by a stirrer vertical drive mechanism (not shown).Also, a stirrer rod (not shown) is rotated. The stirrer rod advancesinto the diluted sample within a selected one of the diluted samplecontainers 5 on the diluted sample turntable 6 and rotates, thusdiluting the sample uniformly. The diluted sample container wash unit 16delivers the diluted sample into the reaction cuvettes 11 and thencleans the sampling pipette 14 as described later. The diluted samplecontainer wash unit 16 has a plurality of diluted sample container washnozzles and operates to aspirate the already detected, diluted samplefrom inside the diluted sample container 5 by a waste pump (not shown)via these wash nozzles, to vent the sample into the waste tank, tosupply a detergent into this diluted sample container 5 by a wash pump(not shown) for washing the inside of the diluted sample container 5with the detergent, and then to discharge the detergent into the wastetank so as to dry the inside of the diluted sample container. Thediluted sample inside the diluted sample container 5 is stirred by thesample dilution stirrer 15 to dilute the sample uniformly. To allowlatitude in arranging the devices 13, 14, 15, and 16, the diluted sampleturntable 6 is moved in steps of a length having no common factor withthe total number of the diluted sample containers 5 arranged on acircumference on the diluted sample turntable 6.

The sampling pipette 14 is driven to the left and right and up and downby the sampling pipette left/right and up/down drive mechanism (notshown) to reciprocatively rotate to the left and right between thediluted sample turntable 6 and the reaction turntable 12. When thepipette 14 ascends or descends and gains access to the diluted samplecontainer 5 at a given position of the diluted sample turntable 6, thediluted sample pump (not shown) is operated to aspirate a given amountof diluted sample. When the pipette ascends or descends and gains accessto the reaction cuvette 11 at a given position of the reaction turntable12, the aspirated diluted sample is delivered into the reaction cuvettes11.

Arranged around the reaction turntable 12 are a first reagent pipette17, a second reagent pipette 18, a first reaction stirrer 19, a secondreaction stirrer 20, a multi-wavelength spectrophotometer 21 being adetector, a reaction bath 22, and a reaction cuvette wash unit 23 inaddition to the sampling pipette 14.

The first reagent pipette 17 is driven to the left and right and up anddown by a first reagent pipette left/right and up/down drive mechanism(not shown) to reciprocate between the reaction turntable 12 and thefirst reagent turntable 8 by rotating to the left and right. When thefirst reagent pipette 17 ascends or descends and gains access to thefirst reagent container 7 at a given position of the first reagentturntable 8, a first reagent pump (not shown) is operated to aspirate agiven amount of first reagent. When the first reagent pipette 17 ascendsor descends and gains access to the reaction cuvette 11 at a givenposition of the reaction turntable 12, the aspirated first reagent isdelivered into the reaction cuvette 11.

During the operation for delivering the first reagent into the reactioncuvette 11, a given amount of condensed reagent is diluted with purewater or room-temperature water and aliquotted by a first reagentsampling means and a first reagent diluting-and-aliquotting means(described later) in the present embodiment.

The first reaction stirrer 19 is driven up and down by a stirrer up/downdrive mechanism (not shown) and has a stirrer rod (not shown) with aspinning and reciprocating motion. After advancing into the dilutedsample and first reagent in the given reaction cuvette 11 on thereaction turntable 12, the stirrer rod is provided with a spinning andreciprocating motion. This permits reaction of the diluted sample to beeffected uniformly and quickly.

The second reagent pipette 18 is driven to the left and right and up anddown by a second reagent pipette left/right and up/down drive mechanism(not shown) to reciprocate between the reaction turntable 12 and thesecond reagent turntable 10 by rotating to the left and right. When thesecond reagent pipette 18 ascends or descends and gains access to thesecond reagent container 9 at a given position of the second reagentturntable 10, a second reagent pump (not shown) is operated to aspiratea given amount of second reagent. When the second reagent pipette 18ascends or descends and gains access to the reaction cuvette 11 at agiven position of the reaction turntable 12, the aspirated secondreagent is delivered into the reaction cuvette 11.

During the operation in which the second reagent is delivered into thereaction cuvette 11, a given amount of condensed reagent is diluted withpure water or room-temperature water and aliquotted in the presentembodiment by a second reagent sampling means and a second reagentdilution-and-aliquotting means (described later) in the same way as inthe case of the first reagent.

The second reaction stirrer 20 is driven up and down by a stirrerup/down drive mechanism (not shown) and has a stirrer rod (not shown)with a spinning and reciprocating motion. After advancing into thediluted sample and second reagent in the given reaction cuvette 11 onthe reaction turntable 12, the stirrer rod is provided with a spinningand reciprocating motion. As a result, the diluted sample reactsuniformly and quickly.

The multi-wavelength spectrophotometer 21 measures the absorbance of thediluted sample in the reaction cuvette 11 and detects how the dilutedsample reacts inside the reaction cuvette 11. The reaction bath 22maintains constant the temperature of the reaction cuvette 11 on thereaction turntable 12 at all times.

As described previously, the reaction cuvette wash unit 23 has thestructure shown in FIG. 5. The wash unit 23 performs analysis routinecleaning using the first detergent by means of the reaction cuvette washnozzles S1-S5, I1-I4, and drying nozzle SD.

To allow latitude in arranging the sampling pipette 14, first reagentpipette 17, second reagent pipette 18, first reaction stirrer 19, secondreaction stirrer 20, multi-wavelength spectrophotometer 21, reactionbath 22, and reaction cuvette wash unit 23, the reaction turntable 12 ismoved in steps of a length having no common factor with the total numberof the reaction cuvettes 11 arranged on a circumference on the reactionturntable 12.

The inventive portions of the present embodiment are next described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electrical components of the inventiveportions. The electrical components include control device or system 51that receives instructions from a touch panel 53 which displays thestates of a first switch for starting wash of the reaction cuvette washnozzles of the reaction cuvette wash unit 23, a second switch forstarting wash of the diluted sample container wash nozzles of thediluted sample container wash unit 16, a switch for specifying thenumber of wash steps performed by each wash nozzle, and a switch forspecifying the types of detergents used to clean the wash nozzles. Thecontrol device 51 controls the operation of the sample turntable 4,diluted sample turntable 6, first reagent turntable 8, second reagentturntable 10, reaction turntable 12, sample dilution pipette 13,sampling pipette 14, diluted sample container wash unit 16, reactioncuvette wash unit 23, first reagent pipette 17, and second reagentpipette 18.

The operation of the control device that cleans the reaction cuvettenozzles of the reaction cuvette wash unit is next described by referringto FIG. 3, which is a flowchart illustrating the operation of thecontrol device.

Prior to nozzle cleaning, plural detergent containers 7W holding pluraltypes of the second detergent (e.g., alkaline detergent, acidicdetergent, and cleaning agent (such as hypochlorite detergent)) fornozzle cleaning are arranged on a reagent turntable (in the presentembodiment, the first reagent turntable 8).

When the first switch of the touch panel 53 is depressed (turned on)(step 1), the control device 51 moves the first reagent turntable 8 intoa position where the first reagent pipette 17 can suck any one of thedetergent containers 7W containing the second detergent (step 2).

The second detergent is aspirated by the first reagent pipette 17 (step3), and the detergents are delivered into the reaction cuvettes 11 onthe reaction cuvette turntable (herein also referred to as the reactionturntable) 12 (step 4). The quantity of detergent of this time is set toquantity to reach the height of the overflow nozzles.

The reaction turntable 12 is driven to move the reaction cuvette 11 fromwhich the second detergent is scheduled to be next delivered into aposition where the first reagent pipette 17 can aspirate and deliver thedetergents (step 5).

Steps 3-5 are performed as many times as the number of the nozzles ofthe reaction cuvette wash unit 23 which perform sucking operations (step6). Consequently, the second detergent is injected into the fivereaction cuvettes A-E corresponding to the array of the nozzles S1-S5 tobe cleaned as shown in FIG. 6A.

The reaction turntable 12 is driven to bring the reaction cuvettes 11 ofE-A containing the detergents under the nozzles S1-S5 of the reactioncuvette wash unit 23 to be cleaned as shown in FIG. 6B (step 7). Thenozzles of the wash unit 23 are made to descend (step 8). The seconddetergent is aspirated from inside the reaction cuvettes 11 via thenozzles S1-S5 and via the anti-overflow nozzles (step 9).

Steps 3-9 are performed as many times as a specified number of cleaningsteps (step 10).

Steps 3-10 are performed as many times as a specified number of types ofthe second detergent while varying the type of the second detergent used(step 11).

Finally, the reaction cuvette wash unit 23 is driven to clean and drythe inside of the reaction cuvette 11 used for the nozzle cleaning (step12). In this step, the aforementioned analysis routine cleaning may bedone for all the reaction cuvettes.

The first wash process has been described so far. Referring to theflowchart of FIG. 4, after the first wash process, a separately preparedsecond detergent is supplied into the reaction cuvettes to clean theirinsides (step 13). Then, the used detergent is aspirated by the reactioncuvette wash nozzles and discharged (step 14). Furthermore, water ispoured into the reaction cuvettes to wash out the residues of the seconddetergent in the reaction cuvettes. The water is then drawn in by thereaction cuvette wash nozzles and discharged (step 15). These threesteps constitute a second rinsing process. In this second rinsingprocess, the above described analysis routine cleaning mode can beadopted. Usually, an alkaline detergent is preferably used in thissecond rinsing process.

The diluted sample container wash unit 16 for cleaning the dilutedsample containers is also provided with plural wash nozzles which can besimilarly cleaned. That is, plural detergent containers holding pluraltypes of detergents (such as alkaline detergent, acidic detergent, andhypochlorite detergent) are previously held on the sample turntable 4.If the second switch for starting wash of the diluted sample containerwash nozzles of the diluted sample container wash unit 16 is turned on,then the control device 51 delivers the detergents into the dilutedsample containers 5 on the diluted sample turntable 6 by the use of thesample dilution pipette 13 and cleans the wash nozzles of the dilutedsample container wash unit 16 with the detergents within the dilutedsample container 5, in the same way as when the first switch is turnedon. Then, the dilution wash unit is rinsed with an alkaline detergent,thus terminating the cleaning process.

According to this simple configuration, the reaction cuvette washnozzles of the reaction cuvette wash unit 23 can be cleaned with simplemanipulations. Furthermore, the diluted sample wash nozzles of thediluted sample container wash unit 16 can be cleaned with a simplestructure and easy manipulations. It is to be noted that the presentinvention is not restricted to the above embodiment.

In the description of the above embodiment, all the nozzles are cleaned.Instead, specified one or more of the nozzles may be cleaned. In thiscase, the cleaned nozzles may be specified from the touch panel 53.Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the control device 51 uses thedetergent put in the first reagent containers 7 on the first reagentturntable 8. Alternatively, the control device 51 may use the detergentput in the second reagent containers 9 on the second reagent turntable10.

Furthermore, the operation for washing the wash nozzles of the wash unitof the present embodiment may be interlocked with normal operation ofthe diluted sample container wash unit 16 to clean the diluted samplecontainers 5 and with normal operation of the reaction cuvette wash unit23 to clean the reaction cuvettes 11. In this case, the interlocking maybe activated or deactivated using the touch panel 53.

In addition, after wash of the wash nozzles of the wash unit of thepresent embodiment, the power supply of the automated analyzer may beautomatically turned off. In this case, the automatic power-off mode maybe selectively deactivated from the touch panel 53.

Further, in the above embodiment, in order to clean the wash nozzles ofthe reaction cuvette wash unit at once, aliquots of detergent as many asthere are nozzles are injected successively (see step 6). Afterexecuting steps 1-4, steps 7-9 may be performed. Then, the process mayreturn to step 1. Then, steps 1-4 and steps 7-9 may be performed as manytimes as there are nozzles. In this modified embodiment, when the seconddetergent is delivered into the reaction cuvette 11 (indicated by A inFIG. 6A), the reaction turntable 12 is driven to move this reactioncuvette 11 into the position of the nozzle S5 as shown in FIG. 6B. Thesecond detergent is sucked from this reaction cuvette by the nozzle S5.During the suction using the nozzle S5, the second detergent cooperatingwith the reagent pipette 17 to perform next nozzle cleaning can beinjected into the reaction cuvette 11. In consequence, the nozzle can becleaned in substantially the same time as for the above-describedembodiment.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the containers 7W containingdetergents for nozzle cleaning are held on the first reagent turntable8. The invention is not restricted to this arrangement. The containers7W may also be held on the second reagent turntable 10. Additionally,the containers 7W may be placed at any locations if suction using eitherthe first reagent pipette 17 or the second reagent pipette 18 ispossible.

Having thus described my invention with the detail and particularityrequired by the Patent Laws, what is desired protected by Letters Patentis set forth in the following claims.

1. An automated clinical analyzer comprising: a sample turntable onwhich sample containers are set; a reagent turntable on which reagentcontainers are set; a reaction turntable on which reaction cuvettes areset; a sample pipette for delivering a sample into the reaction cuvetteson the reaction turntable; a reagent pipette for aspirating a reagentfrom each of the reagent containers on the reagent turntable anddelivering the aspirated reagent into the reaction cuvettes on thereaction turntable; a reaction cuvette wash unit for washing thereaction cuvettes set on the reaction turntable, the reaction cuvettewash unit having plural wash nozzles for aspirating reaction liquidsfrom inside the reaction cuvettes, delivering and aspirating a firstdetergent, and delivering and aspirating a rinse fluid; and controlmeans for controlling the operation of the sample turntable, the reagentturntable, the reaction turntable, the reagent pipette, and the reactioncuvette wash unit; wherein a second detergent is placed in a positionwhere the second detergent can be drawn in by the reagent pipette; andwherein the control means drives the reagent pipette to aspirate thesecond detergent and to deliver it into the reaction cuvettes and drivesthe reaction turntable to move each of the reaction cuvettes holding thesecond detergent therein into the position of a specified one of thewash nozzles of the reaction cuvette wash unit and to cause thisspecified wash nozzle to descend for aspirating the second detergentfrom inside the reaction cuvette.
 2. An automated clinical analyzer asset forth in claim 1, wherein said specified wash nozzle is all or partof wash nozzles of said reaction cuvette wash unit which perform asucking operation.
 3. An automated clinical analyzer as set forth inclaim 2, wherein said control means provides control such that thesecond detergent is aspirated and delivered into plural ones of thereaction cuvettes, then these plural reaction cuvettes are brought intothe positions of the wash nozzles of the reaction cuvette wash unitother than the wash nozzle operating to aspirate at least said reactionliquids from inside the wash nozzles, the plural reaction cuvettes aremade to descend, and the second detergent is aspirated from inside thereaction cuvettes to thereby clean the wash nozzles.
 4. An automatedclinical analyzer as set forth in claim 2, wherein said control meansprovides control such that the second detergent is aspirated anddelivered into a single one of the reaction cuvettes, then this singlereaction cuvette is moved into the position of a single one of the washnozzles of the reaction cuvette wash unit other than the wash nozzleoperating to aspirate at least the reaction liquids, the wash nozzle ismade to descend, the second detergent is aspirated from inside thereaction cuvette, and these steps are carried out repeatedly to therebyclean the wash nozzles.
 5. An automated clinical analyzer as set forthin claim 2, wherein said second detergent includes at least one of analkaline detergent, an acidic detergent, and a hypochlorite detergent.6. An automated clinical analyzer as set forth in claim 2, wherein aftercleaning of the wash nozzles using the second detergent, said controlmeans causes the reaction cuvettes used for cleaning using the seconddetergent to be cleaned by the use of the wash nozzles of the reactioncuvette wash unit to thereby wash away the second detergent remaining inthe reaction cuvettes.
 7. An automated clinical analyzer as set forth inclaim 2, further comprising: a diluted sample turntable mounted betweensaid sample turntable and said reaction turntable and having dilutedsample containers set thereon; a dilution pipette for aspirating asample from each of the sample containers on the sample turntable anddelivering the aspirated samples into the diluted sample containers seton the diluted sample turntable, the dilution pipette being soconfigured as to aspirate the diluted samples from the diluted samplecontainers and to deliver the aspirated diluted samples into thereaction cuvettes on the reaction turntable; and a diluted samplecontainer wash unit for cleaning the diluted sample containers, thediluted sample container wash unit having plural wash nozzles foraspirating the diluted samples from inside the diluted samplecontainers, delivering and aspirating a third detergent, and deliveringand aspirating a rinse fluid; wherein a fourth detergent is placed in aposition where the fourth detergent can be aspirated by the dilutionpipette; and wherein said control means drives the dilution pipette toaspirate the fourth detergent and to deliver the aspirated detergentinto the diluted sample containers, drives the diluted sample turntableto move each of the diluted sample containers holding the fourthdetergent therein into the position of a specified one of the dilutionwash devices of the diluted sample container wash unit, and moves thiswash nozzle downwardly to aspirate the fourth detergent from inside thediluted sample containers.
 8. A cleaning method adapted to beimplemented in an automated clinical analyzer having a sample turntableon which sample containers are set, a reagent turntable on which reagentcontainers are set, a reaction turntable on which reaction cuvettes areset, a reagent pipette for aspirating a reagent from each of the reagentcontainers on the reagent turntable and delivering the aspirated reagentinto the reaction cuvettes on the reaction turntable, a reaction cuvettewash unit for cleaning the reaction cuvettes set on the reactionturntable, the reaction cuvette wash unit having plural wash nozzles foraspirating reaction liquids from inside the reaction cuvettes,delivering and aspirating a first detergent, and delivering andaspirating a rinse fluid, and control means for controlling theoperation of the sample turntable, the reagent turntable, the reactionturntable, the reagent pipette, and reaction cuvette wash unit, saidcleaning method comprising the steps of: placing a second detergent in aposition where the second detergent can be aspirated by the reagentpipette; driving the reagent pipette such that the second detergent isaspirated and delivered into the reaction cuvettes; driving the reactionturntable to move the reaction cuvette holding the second detergenttherein into the position of a specified one of the wash nozzles of thereaction cuvette wash unit; and making this wash nozzle descend toaspirate the second detergent from inside the reaction cuvette.
 9. Acleaning method adapted to be implemented in an automated clinicalanalyzer as set forth in claim 8, wherein during said step of drivingthe reagent pipette such that the second detergent is aspirated anddelivered into the reaction cuvettes, the second detergent is aspiratedand delivered into the reaction cuvettes; wherein during said step ofdriving the reaction turntable to move the reaction cuvette holding thesecond detergent into the position of a specified one of the washnozzles of the reaction cuvette wash unit, the reaction cuvettes aremoved into the positions of the wash nozzles of the reaction cuvettewash unit other than the wash nozzle operating to aspirate the reactionliquids from inside the wash nozzles of the reaction cuvette wash unit;and wherein during said step of making the wash nozzles descend toaspirate the second detergent from inside the reaction cuvettes, thewash nozzles are made to descend and the second detergent is aspiratedfrom inside the reaction cuvettes to thereby wash the wash nozzles. 10.A cleaning method adapted to be implemented in an automated clinicalanalyzer as set forth in claim 8, wherein during said step of drivingthe reagent pipette such that the second detergent is aspirated anddelivered into the reaction cuvette, the second detergent is aspiratedand delivered into a single one of the reaction cuvettes and then thissingle reaction cuvette is moved into the position of a single one ofthe wash nozzles of the reaction cuvette wash unit other than the washnozzle operating to aspirate the reaction liquid from inside the washnozzles; wherein during said step of driving the reaction turntable tomove the reaction cuvette holding the second detergent into the positionof a specified one of the wash nozzles of the reaction cuvette washunit, said single wash nozzle is made to descend and the seconddetergent is aspirated from inside the reaction cuvette; and whereinthese two steps are carried out repeatedly to clean the plural washnozzles.
 11. A cleaning method adapted to be implemented in an automatedclinical analyzer as set forth in claim 8, wherein said detergentsinclude at least one of an alkaline detergent, an acidic detergent, anda hypochlorite detergent.
 12. A cleaning method adapted to beimplemented in an automated clinical analyzer as set forth in any one ofclaims 8 to 10, wherein after said step of making the wash nozzlesdescend to aspirate the second detergent from inside the reactioncuvette, the second detergent remaining in the reaction cuvettes isremoved by cleaning the reaction cuvettes used for cleaning using thesecond detergent by the use of the plural wash nozzles of the reactioncuvette wash unit.
 13. A cleaning method adapted to be implemented in anautomated clinical analyzer as set forth in claim 8, wherein saidautomated clinical analyzer further includes a diluted sample turntablemounted between said sample turntable and said reaction turntable andhaving diluted sample containers set thereon, a dilution pipette foraspirating a sample from each of the sample containers on the sampleturntable and delivering the aspirated samples into the diluted samplecontainers set on the diluted sample turntable, and a diluted samplecontainer wash unit for cleaning the diluted sample containers, thediluted sample container wash unit having plural wash nozzles foraspirating diluted samples from inside the diluted sample containers,delivering and aspirating a third detergent, and delivering andaspirating a rinse fluid, said diluting pipette being configured suchthat the diluted samples are aspirated from the diluted samplecontainers and delivered into the reaction cuvettes on the reactionturntable, said cleaning method further comprising the steps of: placinga fourth detergent in a position where the fourth detergent can beaspirated by said dilution pipette; driving said dilution pipette suchthat the fourth detergent is aspirated and delivered into the dilutedsample containers; driving said diluted sample turntable to bring thediluted sample container containing the fourth detergent into theposition of a specified one of the wash nozzles of said diluted samplecontainer wash unit; and making this specified wash nozzle descend toaspirate the fourth detergent from inside the diluted sample container,thus cleaning this wash nozzle.